With a curvy bottle and a delicate, pale-salmon tinted color, this is not a naive rosé: it is French, after all. The aromas are hearty stone fruit with a hint of tangerine. Stone fruit continues onto the palate which is balanced by light acidity and minerality. A biggish mouthfeel continuing into the finish, with a nice, slightly bitter and appealing fruit-peel quality. But the flavors are gentle, so sip as an aperitif wine or pair with simple grilled chicken on a summer afternoon. (Yes, you can have it for lunch.) Recommended — BSE
WHO: La Villa Barton
WHAT: 45% grenache, 30% syrah, 25% cinsault
WHERE: Côtes de Provence DOC, France
HOW MUCH: around $15 (media sample)